Browsing by Author "Ari, M.M"

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    Correlation and path coefficient analysis of body weight and morphometric traits of two exotic genetic groups of ducks in Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-04-25) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Muhammed, M.M; Ari, M.M; Musa Azara, I.S; Omeje, J.N
    The study aimed at describing objectively the interdependence between body weight (BWT) and morphometric traits in Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks using multivariate path analysis technique. Measurements were taken on one hundred and ninety seven (197) randomly selected 10-week old Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks, respectively in Plateau State, Nigeria. The birds were reared on deep litter in a semi-intensive system where they were kept in a fenced area provided with water ponds and locked up in the poultry house during the night. The body parts measured were, body length (BDL); thigh length (THL); thigh circumference (THC); breast circumference (BTC); bill length (BLL); neck length (NKL); neck circumference (NKC); shank length (SHL); shank width (SHW); total leg length (TLL) and wing length (WL). General linear model was used to study genotype and sex effects. Pekin ducks had a superior advantage (p<0.05) over their Khaki Campbell counterparts in all the body parameters estimated. Sexual dimorphism (p<0.05) was in favour of male ducks. Pairwise phenotypic correlations between BWT and morphometric traits were positive and significant (p<0.01), ranging from 0.38-0.95 and 0.35-0.92 for Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks, respectively. Path analysis revealed that BDL was the variable of utmost importance directly influencing BWT in male Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks (path coefficient=0.535 and 0.508, respectively; p<0.01) while BTC and SHL were the most responsible parameters affecting BWT in female Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks [path coefficient=0.594 (P<0.01) and 1.197 (p<0.05), respectively]. The optimum regression models for the prediction of BWT in Khaki Campbell ducks included BDL, SHL, BTC and NKC (male) and BDL, WNL and BTC (female); while in their Pekin counterparts, BDL, BLL and BTC (male) and BDL and SHL (female) were incorporated.
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    Preliminary investigation on community-based intervention through cockerel exchange programme for sustainable improved rural chicken production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-01-24) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ari, M.M; Ogbe, A.O; Ogah, D.M; Adua, M.M; Idahor, K.O; Alu, S.E; Ishaq, S.A; Salau, E.S
    Local chickens play an important role for smallholders and contribute significantly to food security of households in rural and semi-urban communities. However, the poultry sector is beset with low productivity in Nigeria. The present study aimed at improving the performance of rural chickens in Nasarawa State through cockerel exchange programme. A total of one hundred and eighty (180), 25-week old cockerels were obtained from a reputable farm in the State. Forty eight (48) households from Danka Sarki Extension Village (University’s Extension Model Village) and ten (10) households from COAL Staff quarters were randomly selected. Each participating farmer (household) was given cockerels depending on the number given in return for his/her own cock(s). Pre- and Post-trial information was obtained on flock size, number of chicks, growers, cocks and hens including number of clutch/bird, eggs/clutch, eggs hatched per clutch, mortality and body weights of chicks and growers. There was no significant difference in the flock size of birds before intervention and after intervention. The mortality rate of chicks/clutch and growers/clutch within the first nine months of study decreased as a result of the introduction of cockerels. Similarly, body weights of chicks and growers of post-intervention birds were higher. The distribution of cockerels (improved exotic birds) to the rural livestock farmers in the study areas appeared to contribute to improved village chicken production
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    PRINCIPAL COMPONENT AND DISCRIMINANT ANALYSES OF BODY WEIGHT AND CONFORMATION TRAITS OF SASSO, KUROILER AND INDIGENOUS FULANI CHICKENS IN NIGERIA
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-12-10) Ari, M.M; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed
    This study aimed at evaluating the body weight (BW) and biometric traits [breast girth (BG), neck circumference (NC), Back length (BL), wing length (WL), thigh length (TL), thigh circumference (TC), shank length (SL) and shank circumference (SC)] of two newly introduced and one Nigerian indigenous chicken strains using multivariate principal components (PCs) and to classify the three genotypes using discriminant analysis. A total of one hundred and fifty chickens of both sexes comprising equal number of Sasso, Kuroiler and the local Fulani ecotype were utilized in the study. The six-week old birds were managed intensively in a private farm in Nigeria. The fixed genotype and sex effects including their interaction on the body parameters were tested using general linear model. With the exception of BG, the univariate analysis showed that Kuroiler birds had higher (P<0.05) BW and linear body measurements than Sasso, which in turn, were superior (P<0.05) to their Fulani counterparts. Male chickens also exhibited better performance (P<0.05) than their female counterparts. There was genotype * sex interaction effect on all the body traits, except TC. The phenotypic correlations among the traits were positive and significant (P<0.05; P<0.01) ranging from 0.41-0.97, 0.47- 0.96 and 0.42-0.94 in Sasso, Kuroiler and Fulani chickens, respectively. The factor analysis revealed three PCs (Sasso and Kuroiler) and two PCs (Fulani) which accounted for 87.4, 93.9 and 78.9% of the total variance in the genetic groups. The PC-based regression model accounted for 92, 95 and 88% of the total variation in the BW of Sasso, Kuroiler and Fulani chickens, respectively. The chicken genotypes were best separated using BG, SC, BW and TC.